Transport
The latest transport news for Swanage and Purbeck, including coverage of Swanage Railway, Sandbanks Ferry, the roads and the buses.
Swanage councillors support legal move against new ferry toll increase Ahead of a public inquiry into proposals to raise the cost of using the Sandbanks Ferry, Swanage Town Council has voted to work with Dorset Council to strengthen its objections ... 
Date set for public inquiry into Sandbanks Ferry toll rise As residents packed into Studland village hall in Dorset to express concern over the Sandbanks Ferry company’s proposal to increase its tolls, news came that a public inquiry will be ... 
New Sandbanks ferry toll increase ‘act of hostility’ on residents Local residents are strongly objecting to plans to raise the price of using the ferry between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset, saying it will be detrimental to Purbeck and are ... 
Sandbanks Ferry threatens no replacement ferry if tolls don’t go up Claiming that the business is losing money, the Sandbanks Ferry company has resubmitted an application to increase fares for travel on the ferry between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset. 
Langton Matravers becomes Dorset’s first 20mph rural village The first village in rural Dorset to introduce a 20 miles an hour limit through its centre is Langton Matravers near Swanage following a lengthy community campaign. 
Bid to enhance closed Swanage seafront road thwarted by £6,000 bill With part of Swanage’s Shore Road permanently closed to traffic and the summer season approaching, there’s a proposal to remove the line markings and parking signs, but there’s a question ... 
Three weeks of roadworks to begin in Corfe Castle Just in time for the new school term, a three-week lane closure on the A351 at Corfe Castle begins on Monday 15th April 2024. 
U-turn over learner driver teaching ban in Swanage car parks Following a local outcry, Swanage Town Council has scrapped the controversial rule that banned learner drivers from practising in its car parks. 
New approach planned for Swanage’s transport hub Work has been approved to make Station Approach in the middle of Swanage town centre in Dorset, more pedestrian and wheelchair friendly. 
Ban on learner driver lessons in Swanage car parks exposed by review A 30 year old policy which prohibits teaching learner drivers in Swanage’s car parks has come to the forefront following Swanage Town Council’s review of its car park rules. 
Support for Sandbanks Ferry toll rise ‘strongly refuted’ by Dorset Council Dorset Council has denied claims by the Sandbanks Ferry company that it backs its bid to inflation link toll increases. 
Sandbanks Ferry company bids to raise tolls higher than agreed Only three years after a planning inspector ruled on the maximum tolls that could be charged over the next 10 years for using the ferry between Studland and Sandbanks in ... 
Langton Matravers becomes Dorset’s first 20 mph village Twenty will have to be plenty for all traffic through Langton Matravers in future, as the village’s fight for a 20 mph zone has finally been won. 
Permanent closure of part of Swanage’s seafront approved The southern section of Shore Road along Swanage’s seafront in Dorset is to be closed to traffic on a permanent basis to create a safer area for pedestrians. 
Work begins to assess flood damage to Purbeck roads Purbeck experienced the “biggest issues” in Dorset during the recent flooding according to Dorset Council. 
Two month road closure between Swanage and Langton starts Drivers trying to travel the short distance between Swanage and Langton Matravers in Dorset are now facing a 20 minute diversion, as work begins to replace an ageing water main. 
No end yet in sight for Swanage gas leak roadworks Emergency work to repair multiple gas leaks along the main road in and out of Swanage in Dorset is continuing, as escaping gas is still being detected. 
Langton road works to cause 7 mile detour for 2 months A major £150,000 scheme to replace a failing water pipe will close the main road through Langton Matravers in Dorset for two months. 
Swanage traffic delays due to ‘complex’ repair of gas main Drivers will continue to find it difficult to get in and out of Swanage via the High Street while emergency work takes place to fix a gas main. 
Quiet night in for Corfe Castle as main road closed for repair The main road in and out of Corfe Castle in Dorset is to be closed overnight to repair potholes and improve the road surface. 
Safety fears grow in Studland as new crossing faces delays Delays in installing a pedestrian crossing in the heart of Studland due to the lack of funding have increased fears that a fatal accident will occur before action is taken. 
A day’s parking to cost £20.60 along Swanage seafront The price of on-street parking along Shore Road in Swanage is to increase by an inflation-busting 72 percent, making it one of the most expensive places to park a car ... Sandbanks Ferry toll to increase for vehicles The cost of a trip on the Sandbanks Ferry is to go up for all passenger and goods vehicles although the toll won’t increase for those on foot, bike or ... 
Beryl bike hire scheme rolls out across Studland In a bid to encourage more to explore Purbeck by bike, the cycle hire company has arrived in Studland in Dorset. 
Plea to change Swanage High Street parking hours A proposal to extend the time that vehicles can park along a stretch of the High Street in Swanage is being given serious consideration by Swanage Town Council Sandbanks Ferry returns to service after major delay Following 17 weeks out of action, the ferry that operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset has resumed service. No date for return of Sandbanks Ferry service yet The Sandbanks Ferry company says it is still awaiting a final inspection and certification before it can resume operation between Studland and Sandbanks. 
Purbeck Breezer bus fare cap extended till summer Dorset bus company Morebus has confirmed that the £2 cap on the cost of a single bus fare will continue until the end of June 2023. 
Sandbanks Ferry returns to Dorset with new Cornish paint job Damaged Sandbanks Ferry has arrived back in Poole Harbour for repairs to be completed, after undergoing scheduled maintenance in Falmouth in Cornwall. 
Damaged Sandbanks Ferry returns to Poole to complete repairs Sandbanks Ferry, that was damaged on its way to Cornwall for scheduled maintenance, is to return to Poole Harbour for the repair work to be completed Swanage car parking frozen at £1 a day for winter To help boost business, the cost of parking a vehicle in two town centre car parks in Swanage is to remain at £1 a day until Friday 31st March 2023. 
Purbeck Breezer bus fare to be capped at £2 Dorset bus company Morebus has confirmed that a £2 cap on the price of a single bus fare for winter will be introduced. 
Sandbanks Ferry return to service update following damage The Sandbanks ferry will be out of service for a few more months as it’s waiting on new parts from Poland. 
Studland Road reopens after five week closure for water works The controversial closure of the main road between Studland and Corfe Castle, coinciding with the Sandbanks Ferry stoppage, has now ended. 
Changes proposed to improve pedestrian safety in Swanage The provision for pedestrians in front of Swanage station is ‘very poor’ according to a report being considered by Swanage Town Council. 
‘Severe damage’ to Sandbanks Ferry delays its return to 2023 The ferry that normally operates between Sandbanks and Studland has been badly damaged while being towed to Falmouth for planned maintenance. 
Roadworks near Corfe Castle to continue for ‘further three days’ Temporary traffic lights, which are causing traffic queues on the A351 near Corfe Castle, are expected to stay in place for a few more days while BT repairs a collapsed ... 
New 30 mph signs installed on main road into Swanage Drivers should now slow down sooner as they approach Swanage along the A351 road from Harmans Cross, following the reduction in the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph. 
Purbeck to face weeks of transport disruption despite protests Studland Parish Council says it’s ‘appalled’ that a main road into the village is to be closed at the same time as the Sandbanks Ferry is out of action for ... 
New 30 mph limit for approach road to Swanage The current 40 mph speed limit on the A351 road coming into Swanage from Harmans Cross is to be lowered to 30mph by Dorset Council. 
Cause of Sandbanks wing walker plane crash revealed by report The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published its report into why, during Bournemouth Air Festival in 2021, an aerobatic wing walker plane lost power and dramatically ditched in Poole Harbour. 
Purbeck village set to be among first in Dorset to apply for 20 mph limit Campaigners in Langton Matravers near Swanage are all geared up to permanently lower the speed through the centre of the village to 20 mph. 
Studland faces ‘double whammy’ with ferry and main road closure Studland Parish Council is calling for a rethink on the decision to close a main road into the village for roadworks at the same time as the Sandbanks Ferry shuts ... 
Swanage’s seafront road to stay closed to traffic this winter The south end of Shore Road in Swanage, which is closed during the summer from The Mowlem to the junction with Victoria Avenue, is not to reopen to vehicles during ... 
Durlston Country Park to bring in new way to pay for parking An automatic number plate recognition system to pay for parking is to be introduced at Durlston Country Park in Swanage. 
Complete closure of Dorset mainline train service due to strike action The whole rail network across Dorset, including trains to and from Wareham and Weymouth, will cease to operate for two days during the peak tourist season. 
Durlston bus is back for summer school holidays ‘Use it or lose it’ is the message, as the Durlston Explorer bus service returns for just six weeks - a much shorter time than previous summers due to rising ... Sandbanks Ferry to be out of service for five weeks The ferry that links Studland to Sandbanks in Dorset is to receive a full maintenance overhaul and refit which means it won’t be operational for about five weeks. 
Durlston bus service cut back due to lack of funding The bus service that usually operates from Swanage town centre up to Durlston Country Park and back via the hospital will only run for six weeks this year. 
A welcome return to more trains for Purbeck commuters South Western Railway is to once again run two direct trains per hour between Weymouth and London Waterloo via Wareham. 
Campaign for 20 mph through Dorset villages gets a boost The introduction of 20 mph speed limits through villages in Dorset is now more likely, after councillors voted to rewrite Dorset Council's policy. 
Main Swanage road to be closed for repairs Pot holes along Kings Road West in Swanage are to be fixed but it will mean overnight closures for the resurfacing work to be carried out. 
Cost of on-street parking in Swanage goes up Parking in Station Road and Shore Road to pop to the shops or visit the seafront in Swanage, now costs more. 
Sandbanks Ferry toll increases to £5 for cars and vans The cost of travelling on the Sandbanks Ferry for vehicles is to rise, although the toll won’t go up for those on foot, bike or motorbike. No more Sandbank Ferry paper tickets to be sold for vehicles The Sandbanks Ferry company has announced the end of the sale of paper ticket books for cars, vans, lorries, buses and coaches. 
New rules on Blue Badges in Dorset Council car parks set to come in Under new proposals, Blue Badge holders will have to pay when visiting Dorset Council owned car parks in Corfe Castle and Wareham. 
Purbeck commuters face slower rail journeys due to staff shortages The ‘significant impact’ of the Omicron Covid variant means the introduction of a reduced rail timetable from Wareham Station to London and Southampton. 
Swanage streets to be closed for roadworks A series of new year road closures in Swanage will mean drivers will have to take diversions to get round town. 
New Road to Studland temporarily closed for resurfacing A section of New Road (B3351) that links Studland and Corfe Castle is to be temporarily closed for four days for resurfacing works. 
Car park at Norden escapes Dorset Council parking charge hike Purbeck Park car park at Norden, developed to encourage visitors to take the train to Corfe Castle and Swanage has got a last minute reprieve. 
Parking permits for residents to be looked at by Dorset Council It’s been revealed that Dorset Council is considering introducing on-street parking permits for residents across the area including Swanage. Swanage on-street parking charges set to go up The cost of parking in Station Road and Shore Road is to increase, along with Dorset Council owned car parks in Wareham and Corfe Castle, if the plans get the ... 
Tow truck deployed for first time in Studland to control bad parking Over the hot weekend, Dorset Council had to exercise its new powers to tow away illegally and dangerously parked cars. 
Flashing speed indicator installed on Swanage roads In a bid to remind drivers travelling into Swanage to slow down, Swanage Town Council has purchased a speed indicator device, otherwise known as a SID. 
No parking in new loading bays comes into effect in Swanage While the work to create new loading bays in Swanage town centre was completed in June 2020, the rules to enable fines for illegal parking have just come into effect. 
Illegally parked cars in Dorset liable to be towed away under new rules Following a tow away zone in Studland, Dorset Council is now set to introduce a tow away policy across its area, including Swanage. 
The Durlston bus is back in business It’s been a long wait for passengers but the D5 bus between Swanage and Durlston is finally back after a ‘fallow year’ last year. 
New Studland parking rules confirmed by Dorset Council A vehicle tow away zone is to come into force along Ferry Road in Studland but Dorset Council says there's still parking on the verge. Tolls to rise after Sandbanks Ferry public inquiry ruling The government has given the go ahead to increase the toll for cars from £4.50 to £6.75 by 2031, with a swift rise to £4.75 on Monday 17th May 2021. 
Studland to get vehicle tow-away zone for summer A new tow-away zone is to be introduced along Ferry Road to help prevent a repeat of last year’s chaos when vehicles parked illegally. Sandbanks Ferry to return to normal operating hours Following the easing of lockdown, the Sandbanks Ferry will resume its full timetable, operating from 7 am to 11.10 pm daily. 
Road closure to reinstate Swanage zebra crossing Kings Road East by the junction with the High Street in Swanage, is to be temporarily shut to traffic to allow the zebra crossing markings outside the library to be ... 
Action taken in Swanage against abandoned cars As part of an enforcement operation, a team from Dorset Council has targeted abandoned vehicles in towns across the county, including Swanage. 
Chance to boost bikes in Swanage The opportunity to run a cycle hire concession in the town is being offered by Swanage Town Council to get more people on bikes. 
National Trust implores ferry company to give locals a bigger discount The public inquiry to decide whether the Sandbanks Ferry company can increase the price of its tolls, heard the views of the National Trust on the third day of proceedings. 
Sandbanks Ferry company grilled over toll increase proposal The managing director of the Sandbanks Ferry company has been giving evidence on the second day of the public inquiry to decide whether the company can raise its prices. 
Will the Sandbanks Ferry tolls go up? Public inquiry has started The Sandbanks Ferry company wants to increase its prices but because of objections, the matter is now to be decided by a government appointed planning inspector. 
Free parking on offer in Dorset as Christmas shopping season begins As Christmas 2020 draws ever nearer, shoppers can enjoy free parking on certain days in Dorset Council car parks. 
Check which Purbeck roads are getting gritted, as it starts to get icy With winter and frosty mornings on their way, Dorset Council has initiated a new approach to gritting and Swanage residents can check online which roads have been treated and when. 
Swanage councillors recommend removal of parking spaces for bin lorry access The newly created on-street parking on the High Street near the library, is being recommended to be scrapped, after residents complained that the bin lorry can’t get up Mount Pleasant ... Sandbanks Ferry inquiry into toll increases stopped to consider new proposals The National Trust and a consortium of councils have both submitted alternative proposals to the Sandbanks Ferry company’s price increase plans. 
Sandbanks Ferry to reduce hours during second lockdown but will continue to operate The ferry company, which is facing a public inquiry into its plans to increase toll prices, will finish operating at 9 pm on a daily basis for the next four ... 
Drivers should watch out for partial closure of the High Street on Monday A short section of the High Street in Swanage is to close and vehicles will be diverted down Church Hill, to allow road works to take place. 
New initiative investigated to slow down traffic coming into Swanage Across Dorset, 45 communities already have electronic signs that show an approaching vehicle’s speed and now Swanage may get one too. 
Purbeck village pursues 20mph speed limit despite lack of “collision data” Langton Matravers’ parish councillors express disappointment that the request to Dorset Council for a 20mph speed limit through their village is “probably not looking positive". Public inquiry into Sandbanks Ferry’s proposed inflation-linked toll increases The Department for Transport says a public inquiry will be held to examine the new proposed toll increases for the Sandbanks Ferry. 
Historic boat plans to make return to Swanage A historic ferry is set to make its first trip to and from Swanage in years - and it could soon be offering trips to Brownsea Island too. 
Majority want permanent closure of Shore Road in Swanage In a survey of residents, 62 percent said Shore Road should be closed permanently between The Mowlem and the junction with Victoria Avenue. 
Watch for military helicopters overhead as part of Bovington exercise Purbeck residents should keep an eye on the sky, as military aviation manoeuvres are taking place over the course of next week. 
Bus provider promises to “retain lifeline service” throughout winter despite pandemic Swanage’s key bus service provider, Morebus has stressed its commitment to keeping essential services throughout the coronavirus crisis and the quieter winter months. 
Kings Road East – Don’t drive the wrong way! Swanage’s town centre traffic experiment is being scrapped from today, so the one way flow of traffic in Kings Road East will be reversed. 
“Wacky racers” return to Studland and a Mercedes gets towed away at Sandbanks In Studland, parked cars causing chaos got tickets but in Sandbanks, the council removed illegally parked vehicles on a tow truck - SEE VIDEO. 
Dorset Council agrees to suspend Swanage traffic experiment Following 90 objections to the reversal of traffic flow of Kings Road East, Dorset Council has announced a date when everything will revert back to normal. 
Swanage residents relieved as ‘double yellows’ reinstated The road resurfacing work in Swanage that was halted four months ago due to the coronavirus crisis, is to get completed next week. 
Condor Ferries resumes regular sailings to Channel Islands A welcome sight returned as a Condor ferry could once again be regularly spotted from Swanage, as the company resumed sailings. 
Motorist left deflated in desperation for Studland parking space In a crazy attempt to park near the beach, this car ended up with flat tyres and an expensive repair bill! 
Studland becomes beach ‘overflow’ as Bournemouth declared a major incident Beach-goers who couldn’t find space in Bournemouth, flocked to Studland, blocking Ferry Road and some using ferry property as a toilet. 
From lockdown to gridlock as jams disrupt ferry operation Traffic chaos in Sandbanks leaves motorists stranded in Studland, as ferry has to stop taking vehicles. 
RNLI rescue a yacht pinned against Sandbanks Ferry The RNLI releases footage of its rescue of a yacht wedged against the front of the Sandbanks Ferry - WATCH VIDEO 
Kings Road East traffic flow to stay reversed as Institute Road reopens Swanage town centre road works are complete and Institute Road has reopened but like lots of things, it’s only back to ‘near normal’ - SEE VIDEO OF THE MAYOR Sandbanks Ferry ready to return to service Barring any last minute hitches, the Sandbanks Ferry is to resume operating from Wednesday 17th June 2020 but there are new rules in place. 
Swanage car parks to start charging again Car parking charges that were suspended during lockdown are to be reinstated for the car parks operated by Swanage Town Council. 
Rhino leaves lasting impression on Institute Road The company, Rhino Asphalt Solutions has been working into the early hours to finish the new pavements that are part of Swanage’s town centre improvement scheme. 
Share of half a million pounds up for grabs for Swanage travel infrastructure Swanage residents being asked how to spend a £577k grant to improve walking and cycling routes in Dorset to help social distancing. 
Highways team to work through night to complete Institute Road pavements The final stage of the Swanage town centre improvement work is expected to start later today, when the pavements get their top coat. 
The Sandbanks Ferry to resume service after lockdown With an expected increase in demand as lockdown restrictions ease, the ferry will start operating soon for vehicles but not foot passengers or cyclists. 
Final push to complete town centre roadworks Speedy progress means a completion date is in sight for the Swanage town centre improvements, despite the coronavirus lockdown disruption - SEE PHOTOS. 
No green light for tourists in Swanage Day trippers are being warned that Swanage is not gearing up for tourists this weekend, as car parks are closed and roadworks continue. Sandbanks Ferry has sustained “significant damage” in Poole Harbour A large piece of concrete has fallen onto the ferry meaning that it won’t be back in service for some time yet, while it’s repaired. 
Highways team back in Swanage after shut down Following a seven week freeze, work restarts in Institute Road, after it was dramatically halted in March due to coronavirus rules. 
Roadworks to restart in central Swanage and traffic lights to return Dorset Council’s highways team is to restart construction work in Institute Road in the centre of Swanage’s shopping area soon. Sandbanks Ferry to stop operating until further notice The Sandbanks Ferry Company has just announced that it’s to withdraw the service because it's no longer economically or environmentally viable at this current time. Ferry hours reduced as travel restrictions bite The Sandbanks Ferry will finish operating on a daily basis at 7.10 pm for the foreseeable future, starting from Tuesday 14th April 2020. 
Institute Road reopens as Swanage roadworks suspended Dorset Council is suspending the town centre roadworks, after UK workers were told to stay at home, to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Ferry company proposes annual inflation-linked toll increases The Sandbanks Ferry Company is again proposing new price increases for this year and for future rises to be inflation-linked. Ferry company asks again for toll increase The Sandbanks Ferry Company is now applying for a new price increase, following the rejection of its last proposal. Temporary lights still causing traffic jam in town Dorset Council has changed the temporary traffic lights in Swanage town centre but long traffic queues are still building up. 
Road closure fortnight for Swanage, as resurfacing trucks roll into town All the lorries and equipment arrived in town this weekend, ready to start two weeks of road resurfacing. Another road closure for Swanage this March With roadworks already disrupting Swanage, Dorset Council has now announced the closure of another main road. 
Rolling programme of road closures across Swanage A number of roads are to be closed while they’re resurfaced over the first two weeks of March 2020. 
Town centre road closed for road works until May Institute Road, in the centre of Swanage’s shopping area, has been shut for 16 weeks for construction work. 
Park Road and Marshall Row to close for resurfacing work Dorset Council are closing Park Road and Marshall Row in Swanage for up to five days from Sunday 8th March for road resurfacing. 
New date for Institute Road closure Institute Road will now be closed for roadworks from Monday 17th February. a week later than expected. 
New £450,000 road safety scheme for Swanage town centre underway Roadworks have started in Swanage, to improve pedestrian safety and remove the loading bay in Institute Road.